Data protection based on system vibration modes

ABSTRACT

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to implementing a data protection mode based on system vibration modes in a data supported system. An exemplary system vibration mode is associated with an operating mode of the data supported system. The data protection mode operates to limit, or prevent, errors caused by the vibration. In one exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for operating a data supported system. The method includes receiving an indication that a vibration associated with an operating mode of the system will occur and, in response, implementing a data protection mode in the system.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to systems configured toprocess, access and/or communicate data, and more specifically, but notby limitation, to systems susceptible to disruption in data due tovibration modes.

Data supported systems, such as phones, video recorders, video players,stereo systems, media systems, computing systems, data communicationsystems, data access systems, and automotive systems, are exposed tovarious sources of vibration. Such sources of vibration subjectelectronic components within the systems to shock and vibrations. Theseshocks and vibrations can cause disruption of the data supportedsystems.

For example, a digital communication system having a data storagecomponent can be susceptible to errors and/or failure due todisturbances such as vibration and/or shock. These disturbances can becaused by an operating mode associated with a component or applicationwithin the digital communication system. For instance, a speaker,ringer, or vibrator, for example, activated within the system caninclude a source of vibration that can adversely affect read and/orwrite performance of the data storage component.

The discussion above is merely provided for general backgroundinformation and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining thescope of the claimed subject matter.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to implementing a dataprotection mode based on system vibration modes in a data supportedsystem. An exemplary system vibration mode is associated with anoperating mode of the data supported system. The data protection modeoperates to limit, or prevent, errors caused by the vibration.

One exemplary aspect relates to a method of operating a data supportedsystem, which includes receiving an indication that a vibrationassociated with an operating mode of the data supported system willoccur. The method further includes implementing, in response to theindication, a data protection mode in the data supported system duringthe vibration.

Another exemplary aspect relates to a system, which includes a hostdevice and a data channel communicatively coupled with the host device.The host device is configured to transmit an indication to the datachannel that a vibration associated with an operating mode of the systemwill occur. The data channel is configured to implement, in response tothe indication, a protection mode during the vibration.

Another exemplary aspect relates to a portable electronic device, whichincludes a data storage device having a storage medium configured tostore data and a processor configured to activate a component in theelectronic device having a source of vibration. The device also includesa controller configured to control data operations within the datastorage device. The controller is configured to receive from theprocessor an indication that a vibration within the portable electronicdevice will occur and, in response, implement a control mechanismassociated with the data storage device during the vibration.

These and various other features and advantages will be apparent from areading of the following Detailed Description. This Summary is notintended to identify key features or essential features of the claimedsubject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determiningthe scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter isnot limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages notedin the background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a data supported system.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method for implementing a controlmechanism in a data supported system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a data supported system including adata storage device.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a read/write head positioned over a surface ofan exemplary storage medium illustrating position error signal (PES)thresholds.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for implementing a data protectionmode in a data storage device.

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating an exemplary position error signal (PES).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a data supported system 100 including ahost 102 and a data channel 104. Data supported system 100 is a type ofsystem configured to process, access, and/or communicate data such as,but not limited to, computing systems, stereo systems, media systems,computer gaming systems, portable gaming systems, data storage systems,data transmission systems, data access systems, and automotive systems.Data supported system 100 is, in one embodiment, a data communicationsystem configured to communicate data between components within system100 and/or communicate data with components remote to system 100. Forexample, system 100 can be a system having an integrated data storagedevice.

Host 102 is a device, component, and/or subsystem of data supportedsystem 100 and is configured to communicate with data channel 104. Forexample, in one embodiment host 102 includes a processor configured tocontrol various data operations and applications within system 100. Datachannel 104 is communicatively coupled to host 102 and is configured totransmit, receive, access, process, and/or store data. For example, datachannel 104 can comprise one or more devices, components, applications,and/or subsystems such as, but not limited to, a transmitter, receiver,data storage device, format conversion device, encoder (compressor),decoder (decompressor), buffer, multiplexor, or modulator.

In one embodiment, system 100 is configured to be utilized within anelectronic device such as a computer, laptop, telephone, or portableelectronic device. Examples of portable electronic devices includemobile phones, digital music players, personal data assistants (PDAs),cameras, camcorders, and global positioning system (GPS) receivers, toname a few.

In many of the above-mentioned environments, system 100, and componentsand devices within system 100, are subjected to vibrations and shocksthat can disrupt data operations. Some of these vibrations producedwithin system 100 can be caused by operational modes that producevibrations within system 100. For example, a system vibration modegenerates a vibration in response to or as a result of an operating modeof system 100. Examples of operating modes within system 100 includeactivation and implementation of components, devices, and applicationswithin system 100. For example, an operating mode of system 100 caninclude activating and/or implementing a component or device thatincludes a vibration source that is internal or physically attached tosystem 100 (for example an integrated component or application withinsystem 100). The generated vibration can be in response to a command,condition and/or operating parameter associated with the operating modeof system 100. For instance, host 102 can be configured to send acommand to implement (e.g., activate) a component and/or application 108within system 100. Operation of component and/or application 108 withinsystem 100 generates an internal vibration within system 100.

In the context of a mobile phone environment, a system vibration modecan include, for example, an operating mode wherein a speaker, avibrator, or a ringer is activated in system 100 in response to anactivation command from host 102, which causes vibration of system 100.In the context of a gaming, or portable gaming environment, a userinterface can include a vibrator or speaker, for example, activatedbased on an interactive gaming application. In one example, a speakerprovides audio feedback to a user. In another example, a hand-held usercontroller is provided and includes a vibrator for producing tactilefeedback to the user. In this manner, the speaker and/or vibrator cancause vibration of system 100.

Further, in the context of an automotive computing environment, anautomobile may switch to various operating modes such as four-wheeldrive, city driving, off-road driving, music-playing, etc. Theseoperating modes can cause vibration within system 100 and/or causesystem 100 to be more susceptible to vibration. Further yet, in thecontext of a digital music player a speaker can be activated, forexample, to emit “Hells Bells” by AC/DC at maximum amplitude.

These sources of vibration within system 100 can subject electronicdevices and components, such as data channel 104, within data system 100with shock and/or vibrations. Data channel 104 can be susceptible toerrors and/or failure due to disturbances caused by vibration and/orshock. Examples of types of electronic devices that can be susceptibleto errors caused by vibration include a data storage device, a datacommunication channel, a data transmitter, and a data receiver, to namea few.

In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, a method 200 illustrated inFIG. 2 is provided that can be utilized within system 100 to implement adata protection mode during a vibration event.

At step 210, an indication is received that a vibration event associatedwith an operating mode of system 100 will occur. As discussed above, anexemplary data supported system 100 includes a component and/orapplication 108 that includes a source of vibration. For example, host102 can be configured to implement an operating mode in system 100 toactivate component 108, such as a speaker, ringer, vibrator, that causesvibration within system 100. Further, host 102 can have knowledge of thevibration source such as a vibration type, vibration mode, vibrationperiod, and vibration frequency associated with the vibration source.Host 102 generates the indication that a vibration event will occur andcommunicates to data channel 104, for example via interface 106. In oneembodiment, the indication is provided to data channel 104 beforeoccurrence of the vibration event.

In addition to the indication, host 102 can provide informationregarding an impending vibration event to data channel 104. In oneembodiment, information such as a vibration source, vibration type,vibration mode, vibration duration, and/or vibration frequency can beprovided to data channel 104. For example, the information can includean indication of a frequency range or spectrum for the vibration event.The frequency range information can also include an indication of a timeframe or duration for the indicated frequency range.

Further, the information can include a vibration event start time and avibration event end time. The information can also include a vibrationevent duration time. In one embodiment, the information includes avibration period. The vibration period can indicate whether thevibration is a continuous vibration or an intermittent vibration.Further, the vibration period can indicate whether the vibration issymmetric or asymmetric, and/ or whether the vibration will have aconstant or varying amplitude. In one embodiment, the vibration periodindicates that the entire indicated vibration event time duration willinclude a vibration or whether only one or more portions of theindicated time duration will include a vibration event.

In response to the received indication received at step 210, datachannel 104 implements a data protection mode during the vibration atstep 220. An exemplary data protection mode operates to limit, orprevent, data communication, data processing and/or data access errorswithin data channel 104 that may be caused by the vibration event. Forexample, channel 104 can actuate a data communication protection modethat includes activating a control mechanism to prevent data disruptionat step 230.

Examples of a data protection mode include blocking or suspending a datacommunication or processing operation (i.e., a data transmit operation,a data receive operation, a data write operation, etc.) and/orimplementing firmware code to modify a retry scheme within data channel104. For example, the data protection mode can include modifying adefect sector assignment mechanism and/or implementing a specializeddata read/write or data transmit/receive retry mechanism. In yet anotherexample, the data protection mode can include implementing a logfunction such that the vibration event and parameters associated withthe vibration event are recorded.

As discussed above, the indication at step 210 can include vibrationmode information relating to a vibration event. For example, theindication can include vibration information about the vibration eventsuch as a vibration type, vibration frequency, vibration period,vibration source, to name a few, which can be utilized to implement thedata protection mode. In one embodiment, the data protection mode isselected based on the vibration information. For instance, the dataprotection mode can include vibration compensation, such as adjusting adata operation mode in data channel 104 based on the indicated vibrationfrequency.

In the context of an automotive computing system, a data protection modecan include modifying a data operation, such as modifying or disablingthe transmission of data within the automotive computing system. Asdiscussed above, an operating mode associated with an automotivecomputing system can include, for example, a four-wheel drive mode, anoff-road driving mode, and/or a music-playing mode. In one embodiment,the transmission of signals from a sensor, such as a fuel sensor, withinthe automotive computing system is disabled and/or delayed based on thevibration event indication. In another embodiment, operation of a datachannel or component within the automotive system, such as a GPSreceiver, a cruise control feedback circuit, an airbag impact sensor,and an integrated mobile phone transmitter/receiver, can be modifiedbased on the received vibration indication. For example, a dataprotection mode can include delaying or disabling an output from acruise control feedback circuit or an airbag impact sensor. Further, adata protection mode can include modifying or delaying a response withinthe automotive computing system to a signal from a cruise controlfeedback circuit or an airbag impact sensor.

Further, in the context of a data transmission system, a data protectionmode can include activating a control mechanism to reduce, or prevent,data errors and/or loss of service due to the vibration. In one example,a data transmitter and/or receiver is disabled in response to avibration indication to reduce, or prevent, loss of data caused by theindicated vibration. In another example, a data protection mode includesdelaying a data transmit and/or data receive operation to reduce, orprevent, data errors in the data transmit and/or data receive operationcaused by the indicated vibration.

Further yet, in the context of a system including a data storage device,a data protection mode can include implementing a servo control functionin the data storage device. Examples of a servo control function includedisabling a write gate to suspend data write operations or adjusting awrite fault threshold, such as a position error signal (PES) threshold.Further, a data protection mode can include implementing a data unsafetime window wherein data operations are not performed during anestablished time duration. Further, a servo controller can be adjustedto have high attenuation at the particular frequency of the predictedvibration. Further yet, in one embodiment the data protection modeincludes switching servo controllers or implementing a servo controllermode based on the vibration indication and associated information suchas vibration frequency, for example.

In another embodiment, a data protection mode can include implementingfirmware code associated with a servo controller such that a read/writeretry and defect mapping scheme within the data storage device ismodified based on the vibration indication. For example, whenencountering a large off-track signal the data protection mode canimplement the firmware code to identify that the large off-track signalis due to a vibration event instead of due to a media defect. In otherwords, the data storage device can determine that the data sector of themedia does not contain a physical defect because the indication receivedby the data storage device predicted the occurrence of a vibrationevent. Therefore, in this embodiment the firmware code can implement aread/write retry scheme to the data sector instead of implementing adefect sector assignment mechanism.

To further illustrate implementation of a data protection mode in a datastorage device, FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary datasupported system 300 that includes a data storage device 304 and aprocessor 350. Data storage device 304 can include a hard disc, floppyand/or removable disc, random access memory (RAM), magnetoresistiverandom access memory (MRAM), electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory drive, and/or any other typeof storage device to which the system 300 is connected. In oneembodiment, data storage device 304 is internal to and/or physicallyattached to host device 302.

In this particular example, data storage device 304 is a type that canbe used in hand-held consumer electronic products. For example, system300 can be employed within an electronic device, such as, but notlimited to, digital music players, mobile phones, personal dataassistants, etc. In such an environment, data storage device 304 canfrequently be exposed to momentary shock events due to the portabilityand/or functionality of hand-held devices in which it is located.

Data storage device 304 is configured to store data on a storage medium312. Data storage device 304 and storage medium 312 will be describedbelow in the context of a rotatable storage medium, such as one or moremagnetic discs. However, it should be understood that the conceptsdescribed herein are applicable to other types of storage devices withvarious storage mediums. For example, storage medium 312 can compriseother types of storage media such as, but not limited to, flash memory,optical discs, RAM, EEPROM storage device, and the like.

Data storage device 304 includes processing circuitry 334, which is usedfor controlling various operations of data storage device 304 in a knownmanner with the use of programming stored in a memory. Processingcircuitry 334 can communicate with host 302 through interface 306.

Data storage device 304 includes a controller 336 for controlling accessto the storage medium 312 through read/write channel 340. Firmware 346is associated with controller 336 and can include code for controllingoperation of controller 336. For instance, firmware 346 can controlread/write commands sent to read/write channel 340.

In the context of a rotatable storage system, controller 336 can includea servo controller and generates control signals applied to a voice coilmotor and/or spindle motor (not illustrated in FIG. 3). Processingcircuitry 334 instructs controller 336 to seek a read/write head (e.g.,a transducer) to desired tracks of storage medium 312. An exemplaryrotatable storage medium can include a single disc, or multiple discs.

Data storage device 304 can also include a preamplifier (not shown inFIG. 3) for generating a write signal applied to read/write channel 340during a write operation, and for amplifying a read signal emanatingfrom read/write channel 340 during a read operation. Read/write channel340 receives data from processing circuitry 334 during a write operationand provides encoded write data to the preamplifier. During a readoperation, read/write channel 340 processes a read signal generated bythe preamplifier in order to detect and decode data recorded on medium312. The decoded data is provided to processing circuitry 334 andultimately through an interface 306 to host 302. It should be understoodthat the interface 306 can be of any suitable type. For example, theinterface can be a standard peripheral device interface (for example, anAdvanced Technology Attachment (ATA) interface between a computer systemand a storage device) or the interface can be a direct connection to anetwork (for example, if the data storage device 304 is a standalonestorage system).

Controller 336 can be responsive to servo data, such as servo burstinformation recorded on medium 312 in embedded servo fields or servowedges included in the data tracks. With rotatable storage media, bothtrack seeking and track following operations typically requiregeneration of a position error signal (PES) which gives an indication ofthe radial position of the read/write head with respect to the tracks onthe media. In high performance disc drives, the PES is derived fromeither a prerecorded servo disc with a corresponding servo head (adedicated servo system), or from servo information that is embedded oneach recording surface among user data blocks at predetermined intervals(an embedded servo system). In the illustrated embodiment, theread/write channel 340 provides servo information to a PES module 344associated with controller 336 which generates a position error signal(PES) having a magnitude that is typically equal to zero when the headis positioned over the center of the track (“on track”), and is linearlyproportional to a relative off-track distance between the head and thecenter of the track.

As discussed above, data storage device 304 illustrated in FIG. 3 is atype of data storage device that can be used in hand-held consumerelectronic products. For instance, system 300 can be a digital musicplayer, mobile phone, personal data assistant, etc. In such anenvironment, data storage device 304 can frequently be exposed tomomentary shock events due to the portability and/or functionality ofsystem 300. Burst errors are types of error that data storage device 304can experience. In particular, momentary shock is a common source ofburst errors for a data storage device in a hand-held device.

Further, data storage device 304 can be exposed to sources of vibrationthat are associated with operation of system 300. For example, datastorage device 304 can be exposed to system vibration modes associatedwith operation of components and/or applications within system 300.These sources of vibration can be either internal or external to system300. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, system 300 can include avibrator 354, speaker 356 and/or a ringer 358. Vibrator 354, speaker356, and/or ringer 358 can be operably coupled to and activated byprocessor 350. Vibrator 354, speaker 356, and/or ringer 358 are examplesof unique disturbance sources that commonly affect a portable electronicdevice, such as a mobile phone. For instance, in a mobile phoneapplication, vibrator 354, speaker 356, and/or ringer 358 are sources ofdisturbance that can occur frequently to indicate an incoming phonecall. When activated, such disturbance can cause position error whenreading and/or writing to storage medium 312.

To reduce data access errors caused by disturbances such as shock and/orvibration, the position error signal (PES) generated by PES module 344can be utilized by controller 336 to control operation of the datastorage device 304. For instance, a PES threshold can be established. Inone embodiment, a PES threshold is write fault threshold thatcorresponds to a maximum allowable off-track distance during a writeoperation between the write head and the center of the track to whichdata is being written. During a write operation, controller 336 comparesthe PES generated by PES module 344 to the write fault threshold. In oneembodiment, controller firmware 346 contains code for establishing thewrite fault threshold and implementing the comparison functions. If themagnitude of the PES exceeds the established write fault threshold,controller 336 blocks (i.e., suspends), or cancels, the data writeoperation. In this manner, data is not written to the storage medium 312when the generated PES exceeds the write fault threshold. Controller 336and/or firmware 346 can further provide a write retry command toread/write channel 340, for instance when the PES falls to a level thatis below the write fault threshold.

A shock detection circuit can also be provided that determines whether adisturbance (e.g., shock, vibration, etc.) exceeds a thresholdamplitude. In the illustrated embodiment, a shock sensor 358 is providedand is configured to generate a shock output signal if a vibrationamplitude of an observed disturbance exceeds a threshold level. Shocksensor 358 communicates the shock output signal to controller 336.Controller 336 can be configured to control operation of the datastorage device 304 based on the signal from the shock sensor 358.

In a fixed threshold scheme, a fixed write fault threshold isestablished such that data write operations are stopped if the positionerror of the data head exceeds a fixed position error threshold. In thiscase, the fixed position error signal (PES) threshold is set to areasonable value such that that there is neither over-protection toaffect drive performance nor under-protection to affect data integrity.However, in many instances these fixed threshold schemes are notadequate to protect data integrity in the data storage device. Forexample, a vibration event can result in a shock/vibration amplitudethat is not large enough to trigger a shock sensor. Further, in manyinstances a fixed threshold scheme may not adequately disable the writeoperation in time to prevent data write errors. For example, during adisturbance (e.g., a vibration event) it is possible that the headposition error is within the fixed write fault threshold at thebeginning of a servo wedge sample N, but greatly exceeds the write faultthreshold at the next servo wedge sample N+1. The data written at servosample N may be prone to data errors, as the write gate is not disabledat servo wedge sample N.

In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, a data protection modecomprising a variable PES threshold scheme can be utilized within system300 to reduce, or prevent, data errors during a read and/or writeoperation of data storage device 304. To illustrate an adjusted PESthreshold scheme, FIG. 4 is a top view of a surface of an exemplarystorage medium 402, such as storage medium 312 illustrated in FIG. 3.FIG. 4 illustrates a head 406 (e.g., a transducer) coupled to anactuator arm 404 and positioned over a track (generally indicated byreference numeral 408) of storage medium 402. Preferably, head 406 ispositioned close to the centerline 409 of the track 408 to limitposition errors caused by misalignment of head 406 (i.e., offset of head406 with respect to track 408). Disturbances such as vibration and shockcan cause actuator arm 404 and head 406 to move radially with respect totrack 408, such as in a direction generally indicated by arrow 405. Datawrite errors can increase as the radial offset of head 406 increases.

The dashed lines indicated by reference numerals 410 represent anexemplary “normal” or initial PES threshold. When the active PESthreshold of the data storage device is set to the “normal” PESthreshold value, the data storage device is configured to block writeoperations to medium 402 if the radial position of head 406 exceedsthreshold 410.

The dashed lines indicated by reference numerals 412 represent anadjusted (i.e., lowered or tightened) PES threshold. When the active PESthreshold of the data storage device is set to the lowered PES thresholdvalue, the data storage device is configured to block write operationsto medium 402 if the radial position of head 406 exceeds threshold 412.In comparison to “normal” PES threshold 410, the “lowered” PES threshold412 can result in a reduced number of data errors caused by positionaloffset of the head 406.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a method 500 for employing a dataprotection mode within a data storage device, such as data storagedevice 304. Method 500 is described below in the context of host 302 anddata storage device 304 of FIG. 3 for illustration purposes, and is notintended to limit the scope of the concepts described herein. Theconcepts described with respect to method 500 are applicable to othertypes of systems. Further, while method 500 is described in the contextof a write operation, it is noted that these concepts can be applied toother data operations, such as, but not limited to, a data readoperation and a data transmit operation.

At step 502, initial operating parameters of the data storage device areestablished. In the illustrated embodiment, a first or “normal” PESthreshold is established. Controller 336 is configured to utilize thefirst PES threshold to control a data operation within data storagedevice 304. For example, controller 336 can be configured to block(e.g., suspend) a data write operation if the PES generated by PESmodule 344, and corresponding to a write head writing data to storagemedium 312, exceeds the first PES threshold. One example of a first PESthreshold is threshold 410 illustrated in FIG. 4. It is noted that inanother embodiment, step 502 can include establishing servo controllerparameters such as frequency attenuation parameters, a read/write retrymechanism, and/or a defect mapping and sector reassignment scheme.

At step 504, the method determines whether an indication has beenreceived that a vibration source will be activated. The vibration sourcecan be a system vibration mode associated with operation of the system300. In one embodiment, the indication is generated by host 302 and isreceived by controller 336 of data storage device 304 and indicates thata source of vibration (e.g., vibrator 354, speaker 356, and/or ringer358 of host 302) is to be activated at a later instance in time. Forexample, the indication can indicate an incoming phone call. In thisexample, the indication is preferably received by data storage device304 before activation of a disturbance source associated with theincoming call (e.g., a speaker, ringer, vibrator, etc.).

As illustrated above, in one embodiment host firmware 352 associatedwith processor 350 is configured to activate the vibrator 354, speaker356, and/or ringer 358 (for example, in response to an incoming phonecall). As such, host firmware 352 can have knowledge of the occurrenceof a vibration event and transmit an indication of the vibration eventto data storage device 304. Further, firmware 352 can includeinformation regarding the vibration such as vibration frequency,vibration frequency range, vibration mode, vibration duration, vibrationperiod, and the source of the vibration, to name a few. In oneembodiment, in addition to receiving the indication that a vibrationsource will be activated, step 504 can also include receiving vibrationinformation (e.g., vibration frequency, vibration mode, vibrationduration, vibration period, etc.), regarding the vibration.

The vibration indication received at step 502 is utilized at step 504 toimplement a data protection mode. For example, at step 504 servocontroller parameters relating to frequency attenuation, a read/writeretry mechanism, and/or a defect mapping and sector reassignment schemecan be modified based on the received vibration indication and vibrationinformation (e.g., vibration frequency, vibration mode, vibrationsource, vibration duration). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, ifan indication is received at step 504 the method proceeds to step 508wherein a lowered, or “tightened” write fault threshold is set. Anexample of a lowered threshold is threshold 412 illustrated in FIG. 4.In one embodiment, the lowered write fault threshold corresponds to atrack offset that is less than the first, or “normal”, PES threshold setat step 502. Further, step 508 can include establishing a lowered writefault threshold based on received vibration information such as, but notlimited to, vibration frequency, vibration mode, vibration duration,vibration period, and source of vibration. In one example, one of aplurality of “lowered” thresholds can be set based on the vibrationinformation. In this manner, the extent to which the write faultthreshold is lowered can be a function of the vibration source,vibration frequency, vibration period, and/ or vibration duration.

If an indication is not received at step 504, the method proceeds tostep 506. At step 506, it is determined whether a shock detectioncircuit (e.g., a shock sensor) has been triggered. For instance, step506 can determined whether a signal has been received from shock sensor358 that is indicative of the presence of a disturbance (e.g., avibration having an amplitude above a threshold). If a shock sensor hasbeen triggered, the method proceeds to step 508, discussed above. If itis determined that a shock sensor has not been triggered, the methodproceeds to step 514.

At step 514, the method determines whether the shock sensor has not beentriggered for a long and continuous time interval. In this manner, step514 can determine whether the system has been without a significantshock event for a sufficiently long period of time. In some instances, arecent shock event can be indicative that another shock event is likelyto occur (for example, an intermittent ringer or vibrator). If itdetermined at step 514 that a shock sensor has not been triggered for along and continuous time interval, the method proceeds to step 516wherein the write fault threshold is reset to the first, or “normal”,threshold level. For instance, in one embodiment the write faultthreshold is set to the first PES threshold established at step 502.Alternatively, if it is determined at step 514 that a shock sensor hasbeen recently triggered, the write fault threshold is not reset to thefirst, or “normal”, threshold level and the method proceeds to step 510.

At step 510, data storage device 304 utilizes the established writefault threshold to selectively disable a write gate. For example,controller 336 of data storage device 304 compares the established writefault threshold (i.e., the threshold established at steps 508 or 516) toa PES signal generated based on a radial position of the write head withrespect to a center of a track of the storage medium. A write gate isdisabled if the PES is greater than the established write faultthreshold. Disabling the write gate blocks or suspends data writeoperations to the storage medium such that data is not written to thestorage medium when the position error of the data head exceeds thethreshold. The method 500 proceeds to the next servo sector at step 512.

To further illustrate a variable threshold scheme, FIG. 6 is a graph 600illustrating an exemplary position error signal (PES) 610. Thehorizontal axis of graph 600 represents sectors of a data storage medium(for instance, medium 312 illustrated in FIG. 3) and the vertical axisof graph 600 represents a position error signal (PES) (in percentageoff-track) as a function of the radial position of the read/write headwith respect to the center of a track on the data storage medium. FIG. 6further illustrates a first PES threshold 620, such as threshold 410illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated, first PES threshold 620corresponds to an off-track percentage of approximately 15%. It is notedthat PES threshold 620 is provided for illustration purposes; anysuitable threshold value can be utilized. For instance, in oneembodiment PES threshold 620 is less than 15% (for example, 12%, 10%,5%, etc.). In another embodiment, PES threshold 620 is greater than 15%(for example, 20%, 30%, 40%, etc.).

FIG. 6 also illustrates a second PES threshold 630, such as threshold412 illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated, second PES threshold 630 is alowered, or “tightened” threshold and corresponds to an off-trackpercentage of approximately 12%. Again, it is noted that PES threshold630 is provided for illustration purposes; any suitable threshold valuecan be utilized. For instance, in one embodiment PES threshold 630 isless than 12% (for example, 10%, 5%, etc.). In another embodiment, PESthreshold 630 is greater than 12% (for example, 15%, 20%, etc.).

As illustrated, the exemplary PES 610 has a magnitude below the “normal”PES threshold 620 in sectors 1, 2, 3, and at the beginning of sector 4.Thus, in the illustrated example, implementing the “normal” PESthreshold 620 during operation of the data storage device, a data writeoperation is not disabled in sectors 1-4. However, the PES 610 greatlyexceeds threshold 620 during operation in sector 4. In the illustratedexample, the data head is as much as 50% off-track during operationbetween servo sector 4 and servo sector 5. As such, data portion betweenservo sector 4 and servo sector 5 likely contains data integrity errorscaused by position error of the head as the write operation was notpromptly disabled and data was written while the PES was significantlylarge.

In contrast, in the illustrated example the lowered PES threshold 630can disable the write operation at least one sector earlier as thelowered PES threshold 630 is exceeded by the PES 610 at the beginning ofsector 4. Therefore there will be significantly less data integrityerrors between servo sector 4 and servo sector 5.

It is noted that the PES signal and thresholds illustrated in FIG. 6 areprovided for illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of theconcepts described herein.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments of the invention have been set forthin the foregoing description, together with details of the structure andfunction of various embodiments of the disclosure, this disclosure isillustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially inmatters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles ofthe present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad generalmeaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. Forexample, the particular elements may vary depending on the particularapplication for the system while maintaining substantially the samefunctionality without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentdisclosure and/or the appended claims.

1. A method of operating a data supported system, the method comprising:activating a component of the system having a source of vibration inassociation with an operating mode of the system; prior to activatingthe component, generating an indication that a vibration associated withthe operating mode will occur; and implementing, in response to theindication, a data protection mode in the data supported system duringthe vibration.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein implementing a dataprotection mode comprises implementing a control mechanism within a datachannel in the data supported system to reduce disruption of dataoperations in the data supported system caused by the vibration.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein generating an indication comprises generatingan indication that indicates a component having a source of vibrationwithin the data supported system will be activated at a later instant intime.
 4. The method of claim 3, and further comprising: receiving asecond indication that indicates the source of vibration has beendeactivated, and in response to the second indication, deactivating thedata protection mode.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein generating anindication comprises generating an indication that at least one of aspeaker, a ringer, or a vibrator associated with the data supportedsystem will be activated.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the datasupported system comprises a data storage device and whereinimplementing a data protection mode comprises implementing a data writeprotection mode to reduce data errors caused by the vibration during awrite operation of the data storage device.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein implementing a data write protection mode comprises modifying adata write retry mechanism in the data storage device based on theindication.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the data supported systemincludes a data storage device having an associated position errorsignal (PES) threshold, and wherein implementing a data protection modecomprises adjusting the position error signal (PES) threshold inresponse to the indication.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein generatingan indication further comprises generating an indication includinginformation associated with the vibration including at least one of avibration period, a source of vibration, a vibration duration, or afrequency of the vibration, and wherein implementing a datacommunication protection mode comprises implementing a data protectionmode based on the at least one of a vibration period, a source ofvibration, a vibration duration, or a frequency of vibration.
 10. Asystem comprising: a host device; and a data channel communicativelycoupled to the host device, wherein the host device is configured totransmit an indication to the data channel pertaining to an occurrenceof a vibration associated with an operating mode of the system, theindication being transmitted from the host device to the data channelbefore the occurrence of the vibration, and wherein the data channel isconfigured to implement, in response to the indication, a dataprotection mode during the occurrence of the vibration.
 11. The systemof claim 10, wherein the data channel includes a data storage devicecomprising: a data storage medium; a head configured to read and writedata to the storage medium; and a controller configured to perform adata operation with the head, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to receive the indication and, in response, establish acontrol modification to reduce data errors due to the vibration.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to establish acontrol modification to modify a servo controller operating mode. 13.The system of claim 12, wherein the control modification comprisesestablishing an adjusted PES threshold based on the indication where theadjusted PES threshold is configured to be utilized to control a datawrite operation within the data storage device.
 14. The method of claim12, wherein the control modification comprises modifying a data writeretry mechanism in the data storage device based on the indication. 15.The system of claim 10 wherein the host device is a portable electronicdevice, and wherein the indication comprises an indication that at leastone of a speaker, a ringer, or a vibrator is to be activated at a laterinstance in time.
 16. The system of claim 10, and wherein the hostdevice is communicatively coupled to the data channel through aninterface, and wherein the host device is configured to communicate theindication to the data channel through the interface.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the host device is configured to transmit vibrationinformation to the data channel through the interface, wherein thevibration information includes at least one of a vibration source, avibration mode, or a vibration frequency associated with the vibration.18. A portable electronic device comprising: a data storage devicehaving a storage medium configured to store data; a processor configuredto activate a component in the electronic device having a source ofvibration; and a controller configured to control data operations withinthe data storage device, wherein the controller is configured to receivefrom the processor an indication that a vibration within the portableelectronic device will occur and, in response, implement a controlmechanism associated with the data storage device during the vibration.19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the indication predictsthat at least one of a speaker, a ringer, or a vibrator associated withthe device will be activated at a later instance in time.
 20. Theelectronic device of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured tocommunicate to the data storage device vibration information associatedwith the vibration including at least one of a vibration frequency, avibration source, a vibration period, or a vibration duration.